Introduction

"Hope does not lie in a way out, but in a way through."—Robert Frost

This website is by and for people who aspire to approach their end-of-life planning with courage, humility, and consideration for others. Family members, caregivers, and friends might also find it helpful.

Courage gives us the resolve to face head-on the challenges of dying. Humility spares us a frantic battle against the inevitable. And consideration of others is as important when dying as when living.

The website also has sections on:• Fantasies of preferred deaths• Parting gifts—interesting and touching bequests• Movies that are thoughtful contemplations of dying• Humor about end-of-life matters• Other resources for end-of-life planning

One of the dramatic trends of recent history is that men and woman have been living longer and dying more slowly. Currently, within industrialized countries, approximately ten percent of adults die unexpectedly and quickly. Most die slowly of progressive illnesses such as cancer, heart or lung diseases, liver and kidney failure, Alzheimer’s, and diabetes. Many of us will have time to put our affairs in order and, if we wish, to partially control our end-of-life. But if we wait too long, our decline could outpace our planning.

We welcome input from users. At the bottom of each page are input fields that allow you to share memories of people who handled their end-of-life well, report your own preparations, and offer additional thoughts, quotations, and resources that might be of interest to others. The website will grow with these contributions.